DEALS

Exhibits focus on Ybor immigrants, mutual aid societies

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Delia Sanchez, left, and Adrienne Garcia visit after the dedication of two new exhibits at the Ybor City State Park Museum. They were funded by a donation in Sanchez’s honor. Guests view the new exhibit, The Iconic Mutual Aid Societies, at the Ybor City State Park Museum on July 19, when the exhibit was dedicated. In keeping with the theme of a new exhibit, The Immigrant Groups of Ybor City, German dancers performed at a reception following the July 19 exhibit dedication ceremony. LENORA LAKE

YBOR CITY — Two new exhibits at the Ybor City Museum State Park celebrate the immigrants who came to this part of Tampa between 1886 and 1930.

The exhibits, The Immigrant Groups of Ybor City and The Iconic Mutual Aid Societies, tell the stories of people coming from Spain, Cuba, Italy, Germany and elsewhere to work not just in the cigar factories but in the many businesses around them as well.

They also show the work of the organizations, which provided medical care and socialization for the various ethnic groups.

The new additions were dedicated July 19 at the museum, 1818 E. Ninth Ave., in a ceremony, followed by a reception.

The exhibits, a stand-alone multi-sided display and two window display cases, were made possible through bequest from Fernando Mesa in honor of Delia Sanchez. Sanchez, a long-time advocate for children, is credited with working with the late Rep. Sam Gibbons to bring Head Start to Tampa.

Sanchez and family members, including her son, Frank, were among about 50 guests attending the ceremony.

“We are delighted to see the exhibit come to life,” Frank Sanchez said. “I see this as a history of my family, a history of Tampa — and of the country.”

The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $4, with children 5 and younger admitted free.